Page 3 - Sanjay Van News Today

Hindu and Muslim bodies were, two years ago, asked to furnish a list of religious constructions inside Sanjay Van | Latest News Delhi

On January 30, the Delhi Development Authority ran its bulldozers on the Akhondji mosque, which finds mention in historical records from a century ago.

The Delhi High Court on Thursday expressed concern over unauthorised encroachments and constructions of religious structures which are not protected by statutory authorities inside the forest land...

Forests are "Delhi's green lungs" and the only saviour from pollution and they should be "restored", the Delhi High Court said while expressing concern over unauthorised constructions, including encroachments in the name of religious structures.

The High Court also said that Mehrauli and Sanjay Van are marked as "green/forest areas" in the city's Master Plan.

Delhi High Court has ordered a status quo at the site but the area remains cordoned off by central forces and fears of more demolitions remain

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) demolished a 600-year old Akhoondji Masjid in Mehrauli, which has been called an illegal construction. The Delhi High Court has ordered the DDA to maintain status quo with respect to the land where the Akhoondji Masjid was located.

Akhoondji mosque, located in close proximity of the Qutub Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is believed to have been between 600 and 700 years old, built during the reign of Delhi Sultanate’s Razia Sultana, and listed by the Archaeological Survey of India in 1920.

On January 30, the Akhondji mosque in the city’s Mehrauli area was bulldozed by the urban development body.

The Akhoondji Masjid and Behrul Uloom madrasa were, later, demolished by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on January 30. Locals claim the mosque was built during Razia Sultana's reign making the structure nearly 600-700 years old.